Incident Sparks National Outcry

ELDORET, KENYA – A disturbing video that surfaced online on Saturday, November 15, 2025, showing a Chinese manager physically assaulting a Kenyan employee at a factory in Eldoret has drawn widespread condemnation and triggered a fierce national debate. The footage shows the manager of TCM Mabati Factory repeatedly kicking the worker and striking him with a piece of iron sheet. In an unexpected development, the employee later appeared in a separate video stating he had forgiven his boss, a decision that has highlighted the complex power dynamics and economic vulnerabilities facing many Kenyan workers.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), led by Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, has forcefully intervened, demanding the immediate deportation of the Chinese national. In a letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior & National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, dated November 15, 2025, Atwoli described the assault as a “gross violation of the rights and dignity” of the Kenyan worker. “Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust Kenyan workers have placed in your Ministry and the Government at large,” the statement read, underscoring the union's position that forgiveness from the victim does not absolve the alleged perpetrator of legal and administrative consequences.

A Pattern of Abuse

COTU has framed this incident not as an isolated event, but as part of a “prevalent” and “worsening pattern” of abuse of Kenyan workers by some foreign investors. Atwoli cited another recent case where the union called for the deportation of a different Chinese investor at an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). That individual, identified as Xiao Jianzhoung, allegedly forced employees to sing Chinese songs, subjected them to excessively long working hours without overtime pay, and verbally abused a senior union official. These repeated incidents have intensified calls for the government to enforce stricter monitoring and compliance measures on foreign-owned enterprises to protect local workers.

Responding to the outcry, the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi issued a statement on Monday, November 17, 2025, condemning the assault. The embassy confirmed that the company had terminated the manager's contract and stated it would consider further disciplinary action. The statement also reminded Chinese citizens in Kenya to strictly adhere to local laws and customs, emphasizing that the incident was isolated and should not harm the broader investment cooperation between the two nations.

Forgiveness vs. Justice

While COTU and the public demand justice, the victim’s decision to forgive his boss has sparked a parallel conversation. In a video that circulated on Sunday, November 16, 2025, the worker is seen shaking hands with his manager, stating, “I have forgiven him, and I still want to work here… If there is a problem next time we will talk in the office and I will accept my mistake, but I have forgiven him.” This statement has been met with a mix of sympathy and concern, with many Kenyans on social media suggesting the forgiveness may have been coerced by economic necessity. The incident has cast a spotlight on the precarious position of workers who may feel unable to pursue justice for fear of losing their livelihood.

Legal and Political Implications for Kenya

The case presents a critical test for Kenyan authorities. Under the Penal Code, assault causing actual bodily harm is a criminal offense. Furthermore, the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act grants the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior the power to deport foreign nationals who have been convicted of a crime. COTU's public demand places significant pressure on CS Murkomen and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to act decisively.

This incident also taps into broader anxieties regarding foreign investment and trade in Kenya. Controversies, such as the 2023 dispute over the China Square retail outlet in Nairobi, have previously fueled debates about unfair competition and the role of foreign businesses in the local economy. While the government officially welcomes foreign investment, it faces mounting pressure to ensure that such investments benefit Kenyans and that foreign employers respect the country's laws and the dignity of its citizens. The outcome of this Eldoret case will be closely watched as an indicator of the government's commitment to upholding labour rights and ensuring accountability for all employers operating within its borders.